Choose automation modes in Logic Pro for Mac

Automation modes determine how automation tracks are treated. Automation is either being read or being written. You can independently set the automation mode for each track. You can also trim automation values and record relative automation data.

Read: Plays back all automation that exists on the track. If volume data exists, for example, the Volume fader moves during playback, following the prerecorded automation on the track. You can’t change the value of the chosen automation parameter by moving controls when in Read mode. However, you can record region information directly into a MIDI region in Read mode.
Touch: Plays back automation in the same way as Read mode. You can modify the value of the chosen automation parameter by moving controls in Touch mode. After the fader or knob is released, the parameter follows existing automation on the track.
Latch: Works like Touch mode, but after the fader or knob is released, the new parameter value replaces existing automation on the track.
Write: Erases existing automation on the track as the playhead passes over it. Records the new control movement or deletes the existing data if you do nothing.
Trim: Offsets the value of the existing automation (Volume, Pan, Send levels) by adjusting it up or down by the amount you move the fader or control. Works in combination with Touch and Latch automation modes.
Relative: Adds a secondary automation curve that offsets the existing primary curve for the selected parameter. There are three channel strip parameters for which you can create relative automation: Volume, Pan, and Send levels. When both relative and absolute automation exists for one of these parameters, both curves are visible and can be edited separately. Relative automation mode works in combination with Touch, Latch, and Write automation modes.

Set the automation mode for a track

In Logic Pro, do one of the following:

Show the track’s automation curves, then choose a mode from the Automation Mode pop-up menu in the track header.
Choose a mode from the Automation Mode pop-up menu on a track’s channel strip.

Set the same automation mode for selected tracks

In Logic Pro, do one of the following:

Shift-click track headers to select them, then choose a mode from the Automation Mode pop-up menu in one of the track headers.
Shift-click channel strips in the Mixer to select them, then choose a mode from the Automation Mode pop-up menu in one of the selected channel strips.

Set the automation modes using key commands

In Logic Pro, you can set the automation mode using the following key commands:

Toggle Current Track Automation Off/Read
Set Current Track to Automation Read
Toggle Current Track Automation Touch/Read
Toggle Current Track Automation Latch/Read
Toggle Current Track Automation Write/Read
Set All Tracks to Automation Off
Set All Tracks to Automation Read
Set All Tracks to Automation Touch
Set All Tracks to Automation Latch
Set All Tracks to Automation Write

Use Trim Automation mode

In Logic Pro, choose Touch or Latch from the Automation Mode pop-up menu in the track header or the track’s channel strip.
Choose Trim from the Automation Mode pop-up menu in the track header or the track’s channel strip.
Either T-Touch or T-Latch appears in the Automation Mode display. The Volume fader moves to a center position and the fader becomes transparent.

Now when you move the Volume fader during playback, it does not write completely new volume automation data but adjusts it proportionally to the existing data.

Use Relative Automation mode

In Logic Pro, choose Touch, Latch, or Write from the Automation Mode pop-up menu in the track header or the track’s channel strip.
Choose Relative from the Automation Mode pop-up menu in the track header or the track’s channel strip.
Either R-Touch, R-Latch, or R-Write appears in the Automation Mode display. The Volume fader moves to a center position and the fader becomes transparent.

Relative automation is only available for the following parameters: Volume, Pan, and Send level.

Consolidate Relative and Absolute automation curves

If you don’t need to edit relative and absolute automation curves separately, you may want to tidy up your automation curves by consolidating absolute and relative automation curves into the same curve.

In Logic Pro, with automation curves shown, Control-click the track header and choose Consolidate Relative and Absolute [Parameter] Automation from the shortcut menu.

Consolidating the relative and absolute curves has no effect on automation playback.

Record region automation when in Read mode

By default, region automation data is recorded into Audio and MIDI regions even if the track is in Read mode. You can turn this feature on or off for the currently selected track or for all current and future tracks of the same type.

In Logic Pro, choose either Record Automation with Audio Regions (for audio tracks) or Record Automation with MIDI Regions (for software instrument tracks) from the Automation Mode pop-up menu in the track header or on the channel strip of an audio or software instrument track.
A dialog appears, asking whether you want to apply the change to the current track or to all tracks of the same type.
Tip: Press and hold the Option key while choosing a Record Automation option from the menu to turn region automation recording on or off for all current and future tracks of the same type.

Download the guides:

Logic Pro User Guide: PDF

Logic Pro Instruments: PDF

Logic Pro Effects: PDF

Control Surfaces Support Guide: PDF

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Logic Pro User Guide for Mac